Compressor



Dec. 31, `i935. w, H wlNEMAN 2,026,293

COMPRESSOR Filed Jan. 25, 1934 ML- l AMI: 4' Mm,

Patented Dec. 31, 1935 PATENT OFFICE COMPRESSOR Wade H. Wineman,Michigan City, Ind., assignor to Sullivan Machinery Company, acorporation of Massachusetts Application January 25, 1934, Serial No.708,261

14 Claims.

My invention relates to compressors, and more particularly to heatexchange and liquid removal devices for compressors.

As is well known in compound compressors, it

is the best practice to employ an Intercooler between stages for thepurpose of removing moisture from the air discharged by the lowerpressure cylinder, and removing, at least in part, the heat ofcompression from the partially comlozpressed air. By directly minglingthe air discharged by the lower pressure cylinder with a relativelylarge quantity of cooling liquid, by insuring thorough contact of theair from the low pressure stage with the cooling liquid, by dischargingthe air below the surface of the liquid and providing other suitablearrangements for effecting intimate contact between the air and thecooling liquid, and by subjecting the mingled iluids to a rapid whirlingaction, it is possible to obtain a very electual cooling, and a verysubstantial reduction in the amount of moisture in the air drawn intothe intake tothe high pressure cylinder.

One object of my invention is to provide an improved compoundcompressor. Another object of my invention is to provide an improvedcompound compressor having an improved intercooler. A

further object of my invention is to provide an improved compoundcompressor having an improved intercooler effecting direct contactbetween the cooling liquid and the air to be cooled.

Still a further object of my invention is to provide an improvedcompound compressor having an improved intercooler in which directcontact between the air to be cooled and the cooling liquid is effected,and in which automatic protective devices are provided for the purposeof maintaining the desired quantity of cooling liquid in the system.Still another object of my invention is to provide an improved compoundcompressor having an improved intercooler in which direct contactbetween the air to be cooled and the cooling liquid is effected, and inwhich automatic of maintaining the desired quantity of cooling liquid inthe system and for shutting down the compressor should the quantity ofliquid in the system exceed a safe and desired maximum.

.protective devices are provided for the purpose pressor constructed inaccordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the compressor shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through the intercooling mechanismproper.

In the accompanying drawing, I have shown a compressor, generallydesignated I, driven by a motor 2 whose rotor is herein directlyconnected to the crank shaft 3 of the compressor. -While my invention isapplicable, of course, to compressors having more than two stages, forsimplicity I have shown only a compound compressor, having a lowpressure cylinder 4 provided with an intake 5 and having a dischargeconduit ii leading to improved intercooling mechanism, generallydesignated l. From the latter a connection 8 leads to the intake side ofa high pressure cylinder 9', and after compression to a higher pressurein the high pressure cylinder the air is discharged to any suitablepoint of use or storage, not shown, through va connection I0.

Now referring more particularly to the construction of the intercoolingmechanism l, it will be observed that this, in the illustrative form,includes a relatively large casing I2 providing a cooling and separatingchamber I3 and a oat and control chamber I4. The discharge line 6 fromthe low pressure cylinder opens into the cooling chamber I3tangentially, as shown at I5. It will be evident that as fluid isdischarged into the chamber I3 from the low pressure cylinder, therewill be a rapid whirling motion imparted to the contents of the chamberI3. This chamber contains a cooling liquid I6, which even at therelatively high rate of rotation which it assumes during the operationof the compressor, always has a depth at its lowest point greater thanthe height oi the top of the air inlet from the bottom of the casing.During operation, cooling liquid is constantly admitted at a suitablerate through a water conduit Il which also opens into the chamber I3more or less tangentially, and in the direction of rotation of thematerial Within the chamber. The water supply passage is reached by thewhirling liquid slightly before the mouth I5 of the air deliverypassage. The conduit 6, through which the air enters the coolingchamber, is provided with a rebent portion I8 of such height asabsolutely to preclude the possibility of any liquid running over intothe low pressure cylinder discharge space, and a connection of smalldiameter I9 is made between the downwardly directed leg 2B of thereverse bend and the chamber I3 to permit equalization of pressure,during unloaded operation of the compressor, between the interior of thechamber I3 and the interior of the connection 6. The iloat chamber llicommunicates with the cooling chamber I3 through a pair of openings, alower opening 22 and a higher opening 23, so that the pressure in theupper and lower parts of the float chamber may always be the same as inthe cooling chamber I3. A iloat 24 in the float chamber is guided forvertical movement upon a rod 25 and is connected with an arm 26 pivotedat 2l and adapted to move a valve 28 in its casing 29 to controldischarge through a port 30 from the float chamber, and accordingly fromthe cooling chamber. It will be observed that the valve 28 and casing 29are of such construction that end seating is provided, but that no greatpressure is required to lift the valve from its seat. The valve,moreover, opens progressively as the liquid level rises, and accordinglyis calculated to regulate the quantity of liquid which is in the chamberI3 and preclude an excessive level being reached. When the iioat 24reaches a -vertical position higher than that which corresponds to themaximum desired height of liquid in the chamber I3, it is adapted toengage a plunger 32 and actuate to open position a normally closed snapswitch 33 which controls a suitable electrically actuated main lineswitch SII which delivers current to the motor 2.

From the foregoing description, the nicde of operation of the inventionas so far described, will be readily understood. The main line switch isconnected with a source of power 35 by closing a manually operatedstarting pilot switch 35 which energizes a solenoid 3I which draws themain line switch to closed position. Of course a more complicatedstarting system may be used if desired, particularly with larger sizedmotors, but the one illustrated and described is to be understood asmerely a simplified disclosure of the intended mode of control.

When the motor is driving the compressor, air is drawn in through theintake 5 and compressed in the low pressure cylinder 4. It is thendischarged through the pipe and its return bend I8, through the port I5,into the chamber I3 below the level of the liquid therein, where itimparts a very rapid rotation to the liquid. The unloading means d@ forthe low pressure cylinder and the water supply control valve II are soconstructed and arranged that, preferably after a small time lag afterreloading takes place, the control valve is opened to permit initiationof further liquid supply through the connection I1. Correspondingly, itwill be noted that the liquid supply may be cut ofi each time thecompressor unloads to economize on the amount of liquid used. Theentering liquid stream through the connection I'I, and the relativelylarge volume of air from the low pressure cylinder discharge, and theliquid already in the chamber I3, are intimately commingled and everyparticle of the air will be cooled, and the moisture carried over withthe discharged air and condensed during the rst stage of compressionwill be separated out of the air during and through the whirling actionin the chamber I3; and accordingly when the air separates in the chamberprior to its discharge through the top thereof to the passage 8, therewill be both a cooling and a removal of substantially all the excessliquid which was in the air discharged from the low pressure cylinder,and there will be delivered to the high pressure cylinder air in asuitably cooled condition and with a humidity of practically one hundredpercent, it being impractical to reduce the amount of moisture in theair below that point. Should there be, for any reason, a more rapidsupply of liquid through the passage I'I, or slower escape of liquidthrough the passage 38, than is desired 5 for the purpose of maintainingthe proper liquid height in the chamber I3, the float valve 2li which,by raising the valve member 22, increases the discharge area as theliquid height rises, will nally engage the plunger 32 and move theswitch 33 10 to open the circuit at the main line switch 34 and shutdown the entire system. When unloading occurs, the compressed uid willno longer be supplied to the chamber I3, and the liquid will assume alevel at a point below the equalizing 15 passage I9, though above thetop of the opening I5, and accordingly there will be a continuouscommunication directly from a point in the discharge space of the lowpressure cylinder through to the inlet space of the high pressurecylinder. 20 The passage I9, by virtue of its small size and itssubmergence during pumping, will not interfere with the effectiveintercooler action.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that I havedisclosed an improved com- 25 presser having improved intercooling meansof great simplicity, without the need for the packing of many joints,with a very effectual cooling and separation of the compressed air fromthe cooling liquid, with an automatic control of the liquid 30 level toprotect the compressor from any possibility of access of the liquid toplaces that would be damaged thereby, and with economy of coolingliquid.

While I have this application specifically de- 35 scribed one form whichthe invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that thisform is shown for purposes of illustration only, and that the inventionmay be modified and embodied in various other forms without departingfrom its 40 v 2. In combination, in a compressor, a low pressurecylinder, a high pressure cylinder, and an intercooler between saidcylinders having provision for the direct mingling of the air passingbetween said cylinders with a cooling liquid and 5 for the separation ofthe liquid from the cooled air including a centrifugal air and liquidmixing and separating device.

3. In combination, in a compressor, a low pressure cylinder, a highpressure cylinder, and an 60 intercooler between said cylinders havingprovision for the mingling of the air flowing between the cylindersdirectly with a liquid, comprising a chamber containing a liquid,` andmeans for discharging the entering air beneath the level of 65 theliquid.

Il. In combination, in a compressor, a low pressure cylinder, a highpressure cylinder, and an intercooler between said cylinders havingprovision for the mingling of the air flowing between 70 the cylindersdirectly with a liquid, comprising a chamber containing a liquid, andmeans for discharging the entering air beneath the level of the liquidin a tangential direction.

5. In combination, in a compressor, a low pressure cylinder, a highpressure cylinder, and an intercooler between said cylinders havingprovision for the mingling of the air owing between the cylindersdirectly with a liquid, comprising a chamber containing a liquid, andmeans for discharging the entering air beneath the level of the liquidin a tangential direction and having provision for admitting replacementcooling liquid also tangentially.

6. In combination, in a compressor, a low pressure cylinder, a, highpressure cylinder, and an intercooler between the same having provisionfor the direct mingling of the air owing between the cylinders with aliquid, comprising means providing a circular chamber having means forsupplying cooling liquid thereto, and means for providing a regulateddischarge of liquid therefrom under control of the height assumed by theliquid therein.

7. In combination, in a compressor system, a compound compressor havingan 'intercooler providing for direct intermingling of the air and acooling liquid, means for controlling the quantity of liquid in saidintercooler, and means controlled by the liquid level for stopping saidcompressor upon too high a liquid level.

8. In combination, in a compressor system, a compound compressor havingan intercooler providing for direct intermingling of the air and acooling liquid in a centrifugal-type separating chamber, means forcontrolling the quantity of liquid in said intercooler chamber, andmeans controlled by the liquid level for stopping said compressor upontoo high a liquid level.

9. In combination, in a compressor system, a compound compressor havingan intercooler providing a substantial quantity of liquid beneath whosesurface air flowing between the cylinders enters the intercooler, meansfor changing the liquid relatively continuously during pumping operationof the compressor, and means for discontinuing liquid changingautomatically when pumping operation ceases.

10. In combination, in a compressor system, a compound compressorequipped with unloading means and having an intercooler providing asub-V ll. In combination, in a compressor system, aV

compound compressor having an intercooler providing a substantialquantity of liquid beneath whose surface air iiowing between thecylinders enters the intercooler, means including a liquid supplyeiective substantially continuously during pumping operation of thecompressor, for changing the liquid in the intercooler, means fordiscontinuing liquid changing automatically when pumping operationceases, and means for automatically stopping the compressor in the eventof excessively high liquid level in the intercooler. 5

12. In combination, in a compressor system having unloading means, acompound compressor having an intercooler providing a substantialquantity of liquid beneath whose surface air flowing between thecylinders enters the intercooler, means including a liquid supplyeffective substantially continuously during loaded compressor operation,for changing the liquid in the intercooler, means for discontinuingliquid changing automatically when the compressor is operating unloaded,and means for stopping the compressor automatically in the event ofexcessively high liquid level in the intercooler.

13. In combination, ina compressor system, a compound compressor havinga low pressure cylinder and an intercooler containing a substantialquantity of liquid maintained during pumping operation of the compressorin rotation at such a rate that the surface of said liquid at theperiphery of the intercooler is at a higher level during pumpingoperation than upon the interrupting of pumping operation, a connectionfor the air flowing between the cylinders entering the intercooler at apoint below the static liquid level in the latter, every point in onevertical section through said connection, at at least one point in thelatter, being higher than the maximum peripheral height of the liquid inthe intercooler at any time, and means for establishing communiationbetween said connection and the interior of said intercooler at a pointin the latter submerged during pumping operation of the compressor butuncovered when pumping operation ceases.

14. In combination, in a compressor system, a compound compressor havinga low pressure cylinder equipped with a total closure intake-typeunloader, having further an intercooler containing a substantialquantity of liquid maintained during pumping operation of the compressorin rotation at such a rate that the surface of said liquid at theperiphery of the intercooler is at a higher level during pumpingoperation than upon the interrupting of pumping operation, a connectionfor the air ilowing between the cylinders entering the intercooler at apoint below operation ceases.

WADE H. WINEMAN.

